Devon’s landscape is rich and diverse, with hundreds of miles of moorland, rugged coastline and rolling farmland waiting to be discovered. After a day of exploring with your four legged friend there is nothing better than relaxing in a pub with a refreshing drink and hearty plate of food. Luckily, Devon has lots of dog-friendly establishments ready to welcome you with open arms.
If you are looking for a spot to enjoy a good walk then we’ve also got you covered. Read on for our best dog-friendly pubs (and great nearby walks) in Devon….
Located high up in the sprawling hills of Westward Ho, this rustic gastropub offers far reaching views out to Bideford Bay. Formerly a cowshed on a dairy farm, The Pig on the Hill has undergone extensive refurbishment in the last few years to turn it into an award winning pub. Serving great food, including fabulous homemade pork scratchings, and local ales, this is a brilliant place to spend an afternoon.
The pub is very dog friendly with a large outdoor terrace to sit and soak up the sun as well as a bar area.
Address: Pusehill Rd, Westward Ho!, Bideford EX39 5AH
Nearby walk: Westward Ho! to Cornborough Cliffs. This moderate walk is around 1.5 miles in distance, with the option to extend it by continuing further along the trail. Travel along the South West Coast path from the outskirts of Westward Ho! following the old railway line running adjacent to Cornborough cliffs. There are amazing views on offer, as well the chance of seeing lots of wildlife.
Set in five acres of beautiful grounds, with fabulous views across Dartmoor National Park, the Oxenham Arms Inn is the oldest heritage inn in Devon. Built in the 12th century, the original building was a Benedectine Monastery, which still exists as part of the inn today. The menu ranges from classic pub food to high end fine dining. The pub even offers a selection of filled baguettes for walkers on the go. Dogs are welcome in the gardens and also in the 1477 bar.
Address: Shelly Rd, South Zeal, Okehampton EX20 2JT
Nearby walk: Set off from the Oxenham Arms Inn along Ramsley Lane heading towards Dartmoor. Head past Pixies Garden and then turn right, back towards South Zeal. This two mile circular walk takes around one hour to complete at a gentle pace.
Set high up on Dartmoor, 1425 feet above sea level, Warren House Inn is the third highest pub in England. Built in 1845, it is a welcome sanctuary for walkers exploring Dartmoor – you will find a log fire burning all year round to warm you up! This cosy pub serves great homemade food, including pies sourced from local ingredients and has a well stocked bar with a range of real ales on tap. Dogs are welcome in the bar areas.
Address: Postbridge, Yelverton PL20 6TA
Nearby walk: Take your pick! With Dartmoor literally on the doorstep you can explore as much or as little of the moor as you fancy. We recommend a circular walk from the pub to Challacombe Down. This five mile route takes roughly two hours to walk and showcases some fascinating archaeological sites. The trail takes you to Grimspound, a late Bronze Age settlement that features in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles, past Hookney Tor and back to your starting point at Warren House Inn.
For more walking routes and other ideas for outdoor pursuits read our guide on Dartmoor’s top outdoor activities.
Situated at the mouth of the River Torridge, Appledore is a quaint fishing village with cobbled streets and a sandy beach. Set on the quayside and offering great views of the river is the Seagate Hotel. With a welcoming atmosphere, great service and a special ‘catch of the day’ on the menu, once you’ve arrived you won’t want to leave.
Location: The Quay, Appledore, Bideford EX39 1QS
Nearby walk: Enjoy a walk around Northam Burrows Country Park, a site of special scientific interest due to the abundance of rare plants and animals. Keep an eye out over the marsh for oystercatchers, redshanks and dunlins. With 253 hectares of open countryside to explore this a great area for walking, although dogs will need to be under control as there are sometimes grazing animals. To walk straight from The Seagate follow the coast path from Appledore to Watertown. Alternatively if you wish to drive there is a car park at Sandymere.
Nestled on the south side of Newton Creek, The Ship Inn is a waterside gastropub that serves great homemade food. Overlooking the estuary, this is a wonderful spot to sit and relax with a locale ale. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor terrace and also in the downstairs bar area.
Address: Noss Mayo, Plymouth PL8 1EW
Nearby walk: The Noss Mayo and Revelstoke Drive walk is a four mile circular walk that loops past The Ship Inn. Head south from the pub along the track running adjacent to Hannaford Road until you reach Warren Car Park. The coast path to the east is Revelstoke Drive, a carriageway created by local landowner Lord Revelstoke. Continue around Gara Point, through Brakehill Plantation and Passage Wood, following the course of the estuary back to Noss Mayo.
This 16th century former coach house has won a whole host of awards in recent years, including The i newspaper award for ‘Best UK Summer Pub June 2019’. The atmosphere at the Lamb Inn is very relaxed and dogs and well behaved owners are more than welcome. The menu is classic pub food with a modern, inventive twist, designed around the best locally sourced products. Local ales, fine wines and a good selection of gins are available behind the bar. Keep your furry friend happy with a selection of dog snacks available to buy.
Address: The Square, Sandford, Crediton EX17 4LW
Nearby walk: Sandford to Upton Hellions is a varied three mile walk along footpaths and quiet lanes. Head north from the Lamb Inn before heading east and crossing over the River Creedy to Upton Hellions. From here head south towards Lower Creedy and follow Thornhedges Lane back over the river.
Situated in Challacombe, the Black Venus Inn is a charming stone built pub that dates back to the 16th century. The pub is very dog friendly, which is great as Exmoor National Park is right on the doorstep! Serving wholesome food and a selection of west country ales it’s a great place to begin or end a walk. They even have a range of dog snacks available for your four legged friend to enjoy.
Address: Challacombe, Barnstaple EX31 4TT
Nearby walk: Start at the Black Venus Inn and head south towards Home Place Farm. Follow the footpath through the woodland to Barton Town. From here turn right on to the lane and then join back up to a footpath all the way to Barton Gate. From here follow the path of the B3358 back to the pub.
Located in the riverside village of Cockwood, on the bank of the Exe Estuary, this charming restaurant offers spectacular views of the harbour. Around half an hour from Exeter, The Anchor Inn specialises in locally sourced seafood dishes, with the mussel selection a particular favourite on the menu. If you just fancy a drink there is a cosy bar area with log fire, as well as outdoor seating to soak up the sun. Dogs are welcome outside or in the downstairs bar.
Address: Cockwood, Exeter EX6 8RA
Nearby walk: The Exe Valley Way runs all the way from the South West Coast Path on the Exe Estuary to Exford in Exmoor National Park. We don’t expect you to cover the whole trail – it’s 45 miles long! – but a manageable route is to head south towards Dawlish Warren, stop off at the beach, and then head back to Cockwood. This 3 mile route should take around one hour to walk and you’ll enjoy some great views out across Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve.
This 12th century, Grade II listed pub is located in the quiet village of Axmouth. It serves classic pub food and has a huge stone fireplace to warm you up after you’ve been out walking. Water and biscuits are readily available for dogs.
Address: Church St, Axmouth, Seaton EX12 4AF
Nearby walk: Half a mile south of The Harbour is a great dog friendly walk that follows the South West Coast Path from Seaton to Lyme Regis. Begin at Squire’s Lane and follow the track marked Coast Path, which brings you out on the top of Haven Cliff, offering fabulous views out to Seaton Bay. The Jurassic Coast stretches along this whole area, in total running from Exmouth to Studland Bay in Dorset.
The total length of the walk to Lyme Regis is six miles (not including the return leg), so you have the choice of walking back along the same route whenever you’ve been out long enough. It’s important to note that the terrain can be quite challenging, especially after rainfall, due to the overlying clay.
It was a fantastic 2019 for the Cott Inn, scooping the Great British Pub of the Year award. The pub, dating back to the 1320’s, has been lovingly transformed and modernised over the last few years whilst still retaining the original character of the building. Serving beautifully prepared, locally sourced food, you’ll definitely want to see for yourself what all the fuss is about. Dogs are welcome in the bar area and there is also a pleasant beer garden to sit in.
Address: Cott Ln, Dartington, Totnes TQ9 6HE
Nearby walk: Just a short drive north of The Cott Inn is Dartington Hall, a large country estate with 880 acres of stunning gardens and woodland to explore. The estate has an abundance of walks to choose from – the trail around the whole estate is roughly eight miles. Deer and livestock roam on the estate so some areas will require your dog to be on the lead, however there are several large areas they can roam freely.
This seaside pub has recently undergone extensive refurbishment and is now more welcoming than ever. With a large terrace overlooking the Exe Estuary, seasonal, homemade pub classics on the menu and local ales on tap, you’ll be happy to spend all day here. Dogs are very welcome on the terrace and in the downstairs dining area.
Address: Esplanade, Exmouth EX8 1BJ
Nearby walk: Head to The Maer, a nature reserve just a short stroll away from the beach. This large, open space is a haven for flowers and wildlife, and a great spot for letting the dog run around. There is a large car park if you wish to drive or you can walk from The Grove and follow the path along the esplanade.
Planning a trip to Devon? We have some totally pawsome dog-friendly cottages to suit the whole family.
Check out Pets Go Free properties too. A collection of cottages accepting at least one dog at no extra cost!
For more trails and exciting areas to explore with your dog, why not try The Moor otters Art Trail Guide
Image credit: Andrew Hackney – CC BY-SA 2.0; Derek Harper – CC BY-SA 2.0;
